A pre-shave Russell Crowe attemds a screening of 'The Man With The Iron Fists' in New York. / Dave Allocca, AP/Starpix

by Lorena Blas, USA TODAY

by Lorena Blas, USA TODAY

Russell Crowe is getting some big props from the South Sydney Rabbitohs, the Australian rugby club in which he has a stake.

Club Chairman Nicholas Pappas has confirmed that the Oscar-winning actor will seek to sell his share in the club at the end of the 2013 season.

"It's a great opportunity," Pappas said "to applaud Russell Crowe's significant contribution to the turnaround in this club that many of you have witnessed with us. It's not only a turnaround in the club's internal fortunes. It's a turnaround in the club's respectability, its standing in the game, the way it's treated by its peers."

Crowe sent out a message to Twitter followers over the weekend about his plans: "South Sydney FC in a great place. Money in the bank, long term contracts with star players, excellent coach. Don't listen to panic merchants."

Pappas noted that Crowe's decision is a personal one that comes after 18 months of work commitments have kept the actor busy. "There's a personal equation here," Pappas said.